Downtown shines, few snarls despite RR Xing shutdowns on Okeechobee

Saturday

Downtown traffic moved smoothly Saturday morning, despite rail crossing shutdowns at two key Okeechobee Boulevard intersections. Workers were installing a second set of rails to accommodate All Aboard Florida’s upcoming Brightline passenger service, the high-speed line from Miami to Orlando.

GreenMarket vendors said foot traffic at their weekly waterfront event was slower than usual Saturday, probably because customers scared off by fear of road congestion but also because temperatures spiked into the 80s.

Joggers round the curve near Dreyfoos School of the Arts, heading toward CityPlace.

Drivers eastbound on Okeechobee, trying to head into CityPlace, encountered one more unexpected set of detours early in the day: Sections of Rosemary and Sapodilla avenues and a few other streets were blocked off for a 5K run. Vehicles trying to navigate that area found they had to do a U-Turn at Rosemary and wend their way back around to Tamarind Ave. and Clematis to get farther downtown.

But the car-free streets around CityPlace made for a nice break from the usual rumble, and plenty of customers made their way to the GreenMarket, dogs, baby-strollers and all.

TocToc Arepas

The crew from Jove Kitchen & Bar

Jude Exilus at Andre Gourmet Sauce Co.

Not quite as busy as usual, but still plenty of people at the GreenMarket.

Mayor Jeri Muoio stocks up on sweetness at Bee Unique honey stand.

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